How the Cardinal could knock off the Trojans — again

Although the Cardinal are eight-point underdogs, recent history has shown that point spreads mean nothing in the Stanford-USC series. Here’s how a team with a still very green quarterback (Nunes) could beat the No. 2 team in the country, a team with at least four first-round draft picks (Barkley, Woods, Lee and McDonald). Yes, this time it could be done without any Luck.

First, Stanford matches up defensively against USC much better than it does, say, against Oregon. Its secondary probably will give up some big plays to Woods and Lee — everybody does. But, like Syracuse last week, if it can keep the game from becoming a scoring circus, it will have a chance. The Cardinal’s excellent front seven should be able to thwart USC’s ground game (namely, McNeal and Redd), especially if stellar center Khaled Holmes is still gimpy from last week’s ankle injury. Stanford beat USC last year without one of its two top defenders, Shayne Skov. This is the best group of linebackers USC probably will see all year. In fact, the whole defense looks must better this year.

Second, the excellent Barkley has gotten better at seeing the field and buying time by maneuvering in the pocket, but he’s not a scrambling threat. That plays into the hands of Chase Thomas and fellow pass rushers. Barkley can’t dink and dunk forever. There will be times when he’ll need a lot of protection.

Third, USC’s defensive line is suspect. Stepfan Taylor and Co. should be able to find enough holes to do serious damage. And when USC loads people in the box …

Fourth, Nunes can thread play-action passes to Ertz, Toilolo, Montgomery and Terrell. McDonald, the USC free safety, is a gambler who loves to make big hits. At times, his aggressiveness can be exploited, which is how Stanford can pull a big play. Stanford is liable to cook up a trick play or three, for the same reason. Last year, from the wildcat, Gaffney handed to Wilkerson, who flipped to Luck, who passed to Montgomery for a 62-yard gain, setting up a TD.

Fifth, Stanford should have a big edge in placekicking with Jordan Williamson. USC’s Andre Heidari boomed a 50-yard field goal against Stanford last year and was 15-for-17 on field goals overall, but he’s recuperating from recent knee surgery. That leaves the kicking up to unproven freshman Alex Wood.

The game is a sellout, but it’s too bad the Stanford student body isn’t back yet for the fall quarter. The kids are going to miss a heck of a game. I’m not predicting a Stanford win, just pointing out how it could be accomplished.